Implementing the International Health Regulations
Overview
The International Health Regulations (2005), or IHR, represent an agreement among 196 countries, including all WHO Member States, to work together to protect global health security. They require countries to build core capacities to be better able to protect their citizens, and the citizens of other countries, from the spread of diseases and other health hazards.
In the Western Pacific Region, the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies (APSED III) guides countries on how to advance implementation of the IHR. Building on the lessons learned during the response to major outbreaks and emergencies and more than a decade of APSED implementation, APSED III advocates a step-by-step approach to strengthen the capacities required to manage all types of public health emergencies.
The WHO Health Emergencies Programme in the Western Pacific Region is working with Member States and partners to implement APSED III to meet their obligations under the IHR and keep the Region safe.
Key facts
- 100% of non-Pacific countries are conducting event-based surveillance (from 43% in 2007)
- 100% of Pacific island countries have participated in the Pacific Syndromic Surveillance System since its establishment in 2010
